You are too tired or have other symptoms, such as leg pain, that keep you from continuing.

You will be monitored for 10 to 15 minutes after exercising, or until your heart rate returns to baseline. The total time of the test is around 60 minutes.

How to Prepare for the Test

You must not eat, smoke, or drink beverages containing caffeine or alcohol for 3 hours (or more) before the test.

Wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing to allow you to exercise.

Ask your health care provider if you should take any of your regular medicines on the day of the test. Some medicines may interfere with test results. Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are taking sildenafil citrate (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra) and have taken a dose within the past 24 to 48 hours.

You will usually be asked to avoid caffeine for 24 hours before the test. This includes:

Tea and coffee

All sodas, even ones that are labeled caffeine-free

Chocolates

Certain pain relievers that contain caffeine

How the Test Will Feel

Electrodes (conductive patches) will be placed on your chest to record the heart's activity. You may feel mild burning or stinging when the electrode sites are prepared.

You will have a blood pressure cuff on your arm that will be inflated every few minutes. This will produce a tight, squeezing feeling.

Baseline measurements of heart rate and blood pressure will be taken before exercise starts.